In her remarks from the bench following the oath of office, McCormack, a Democrat, emphasized the need for the justices to work collegially, The Detroit News reported. She was quoted saying: "Even when we inevitably disagree, I will not be disagreeable."

McCormack left her job as a University of Michigan law professor to join the state's highest court following the November election. She garnered national attention in September when the cast of the West Wing reunited to make a video supporting her campaign.

"The way courts are supposed to make decisions is following the law that the political branches of governments make, and sometimes that means you're making a decision that doesn't line up exactly with your political views," McCormack told AnnArbor.com.